Staff

In the last few years, I have established the Mycoplasma Diagnostic and Research Laboratory (MDRL) for investigating animal mycoplasma diseases, including CBPP under the supervision of an Expert ruminant Mycoplasmologist (Prof. Robin Nicholas, UK). The laboratory was established with a grant from Gates Foundation and was commissioned in July 2020 by the Vice Chancellor through the Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, Technology and Innovation (DVC-RTI) in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. .

I have working, training, and teaching experience in various aspects of Veterinary Medical Microbiology, Public health and Molecular biology. I graduated as a veterinarian in 1995 from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. My MSc and PhD degrees were in Medical Microbiology from the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria, in 1998 and 2008, respectively.  My PhD was in collaboration with Southern University at New Orleans, USA, where I had my training in molecular biology under the supervision of Prof. David S. Adegboye, a renowned American-Nigerian mycoplasmologist. I was subsequently linked up with the Infectious Disease Unit at the Health Sciences Center, Louisiana State University, where I carried out molecular characterization of Ureaplasma isolates from Nigeria, the molecular aspect of my Ph.D. work. The Ph.D. work was titled ‘‘Studies on Human Urogenital Mycoplasmosis in Patients Attending STD clinics at Lagos and Jos University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria.’’ I earned my Master of Public Health qualification (MPH) in 2018 at Staffordshire University, UK. My dissertation was titled: ‘’Review of Tuberculosis in the Underserved Populations in the UK’’. I am a Fellow of the College of Veterinary Surgeons, Nigeria in 2023, in the Faculty of Pathology and specializing in Mycoplasmology.

I have worked and lived in Wales, Scotland, and England for almost a decade, with hands on trainings and affiliations with various organisations such as the Public Health England, Global Alliance for Veterinary Medicines, Supporting Evidence Based Interventions of the Edinburgh University, Animal and Plant Health Agency, UK (Mycoplasma Group), Mycoplasma Experience LTD, UK. The Botswana National Veterinary Laboratory on International Development Fund Fellowship award by the Society for Applied Microbiology. In January, 2023, I visited Moredun Veterinary Research Institute, Edinburgh, on a research fellowship award by the International Veterinary Vaccines Network, UK. 

I have teaching experiences in all aspects of Microbiology, including Bacteriology, Mycology, Mycoplasmology, Virology and Immunology, Molecular biology, Vaccinology, Public health and Zoonoses, researching and publishing in these subject areas covering diseases of animal and human hosts. Following the establishment of the mycoplasma Diagnostic and Research Laboratory, I engaged myself in an in-depth mycoplasma research investigations and focusing on avian and ruminant species. Administratively and technically, I serve as a Consultant mycoplasmologist to the University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Laboratory Manager for the Fleming funded project that led to the establishment of antimicrobial resistance laboratory in the University.  I am the departmental post- graduate Coordinator and the former Head of the Department of Veterinary Microbiology as well as the Faculty Webbing manager. I have served as acting Sub-Dean in the Faculty and represented the Faculty at various committee levels in the University and a Senate member while serving as the acting HOD.

I had won several grants and fellowships at the University, including Gates foundation to review ruminant diseases of high priority in Nigeria, a grant to establish the Mycoplasma Diagnostic and Research Laboratory with pilot trials research focusing on CCPP and CBPP in ruminants in Nigeria, under the supervision of a renown mycoplasmologist, Professor Robin Nicholas.

In March, 2024 I received the Microbiology Society Supported Conference Grant titled: Awareness on Microbes and Antimicrobial Residues in Animal Proteins Processed for Human Consumption: Abattoir Conference 2024. This was held within the 24th -28th  February, 2024  at Fresh Hotel, Kwara State, Nigeria.

International Veterinary Vaccine Networks (IVVN) grant awarded for research training visit to the Moredun Veterinary Research Institute Edinburgh, UK. Research work titled:  ‘Project Title: Identification of Vaccine and Diagnostic Targets in Ruminant Mycoplasma Pathogens Using in Silico and Proteomic Approaches. Publication titled: Olorunshola, I.D.; Ahmad, K.H.; Peters, A.R.; Nicholas, RAJ.; Adegboye, D.S. (2025): Mycoplasma bovis: A review of vaccination and diagnostic initiatives. cabireviews.2025.0022, CABI Reviews, DOI:   https:// 10.1079/cabireviews.2025.0022

In January, 2023 I received the International Veterinary Vaccine Networks (IVVN) grant awarded for research training visit to the Moredun Veterinary Research Institute Edinburgh, UK. Research work titled:  ‘Project Title: Identification of Vaccine and Diagnostic Targets in Ruminant Mycoplasma Pathogens Using in Silico and Proteomic Approaches. Publication titled: Olorunshola, I.D.; Ahmad, K.H.;  Peters, A.R.; Nicholas, RAJ.; Adegboye, D.S. (2025): Mycoplasma bovis: A review of vaccination and diagnostic initiatives. cabireviews.2025.0022, CABI Reviews, DOI:   https:// 10.1079/cabireviews.2025.0022

Visiting Researcher at the Botswana National Veterinary Research Institute, an OIE reference Centre for Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), June, 2022. Funded by Society for Applied Microbiology, UK, on the Professional Development Support Grant. Research work titled:  Hands-On Research Training Visit to the Botswana National Veterinary LaboratoryTraining in Modern Molecular Biology Diagnostic Techniques. Published Report titled Olorunshola, I.D. (2022): Ice Cold in Africa: The Experiences of a Nigerian Mycoplasmologist at the Botswana National Veterinary Laboratory Available online at:  . https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url= 

Visiting Researcher and training at the Animal and Health Agency, UK, OIE reference Centre for Mycoplasma bovis, October, 2019 and the WOAH Reference Centre for Contagious Agalactia, National Reference Laboratory for Exotic Ruminant and Avian Mycoplasmosis, Department of Bacteriology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw,Addlestone.Surrey.KT15 3NB

One year Sabbatical Leave tenure at Ahmadu Belo University Zaria (2024/2025). Attending postgraduate meetings and participated in assessing/grading MSc dissertations, PhD oral presentations, and served as an external examiner for one PhD thesis of a candidate titled:  Molecular Characterisation and Phylogenetic Study of Mycoplasma mycoides Subspecies Mycoides isolated From Lung Tissue of Slaughtered Cattle in Kaduna, Sokoto and Plateau States, Nigeria.  The university administration has encouraged me to concentrate on the areas of the vaccine development as this would be of huge benefit to the university. I’m also forwarding my proposal titled: “The Use of Latex Agglutination Test to Monitor CBPP Vaccine Response in a Cattle Herd in Ilorin, Kwara State, and Nigeria.” to the university grants award committee. This pilot study proposal is a preliminary background investigation on the efficacy of the aged T₁44 vaccine against the notorious cattle plaque contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP).

I was promoted into the professorial cadre in October, 2022 by the University of Ilorin Appointment and Promotion Committee as an Associate Professor (Reader) by primer facie. My field of endeavor in microbiology is mycoplasmology and probably one of the Nigerian frontline international scientists currently making steady progress in this field and having collaborations across the continents of Africa, America and Europe. As a full member of the International Organisation for Mycoplasmology (IOM) I had a portfolio as a member of the scientific committee towards the just concluded biannual congress held in Japan, July, 2023. I had a 3 peered reviewed abstracts published in the IOM Japan, 2023 books of abstracts. I used the IOM professional channel to keep myself abreast of the progress in the field of mycoplasmology.

I have passion for research work, contribution towards students’ training, staff development and part of the reasons for relocating back to Nigeria is to contribute to the university system as a way of paying back to my father’s land. Hence, I make a lot of sacrifice committing myself to research and application for grants to ensure that I’m making progress in my field of endeavor, the mycoplasma diagnostic and  research laboratory established through a grant I worn, continued to be a source of inner joy that I’m also leaving a footprint behind for the university when I’m retired. During the commissioning of the laboratory, the VC, approved air conditioning systems, and a desk top computer for the use of the laboratory. The university also acknowledged, and appreciated, my sacrificial investments towards our students’ training, research, and for projecting the good image of the university by contributing to knowledge in my field.  I have examined and supervised undergraduate and post-graduate MSc projects as well as currently co-supervising 3- PhD thesis. I have over 50 journal publications to my credit and I have submitted my application for the rank of a Professor for the year 2025 call.